Welcome to PeopleFirst.org

tell people about meetings, events and conferences that your group is planning;

tell people about things your group has done in the past;

share resources.

Peoplefirst.org has a sister website called www.selfadvocacy.net, which is about the broader self-advocacy movement. Please also visit there!

If you would like to tell us about a website or other information to add to this website or would like to help develop this website we would like to hear from you. Please contact us using our contact form.

What is People First?

People First groups are often known as self-advocacy groups.

They are groups of people with learning difficulties, people with intellectual disabilities, people with developmental disabilities and/or people with disabilities who speak up for themselves and work to improve the lives of their members.

The People First movement started during the planning for a self-advocacy conference in 1974. This was held in Oregon in the the United States. Dennis Heath, a social worker who supported the group, said:

“One of the pioneer self-advocates – who it was is forgotten – objected to the constant use of the words “retarded” and “handicapped.” “I want to be treated like a person first,” he said. From that came the group’s name, People First of Oregon.”

From this first conference, the People First movement has spread to all corners of the world.

PeopleFirst.org is not affiliated to any People First groups or organisations.